Luke 15: 1-10
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near
to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying,
"This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." So he told them
this parable: "Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of
them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one
that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his
shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends
and neighbors, saying to them, ´Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that
was lost.´ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one
sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no
repentance. "Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of
them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she
finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors,
saying, ´Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.´ Just so,
I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner
who repents."
* * *
Introductory Prayer: Lord God, I believe that you are present
here for this moment of prayer. Even if I have not really longed for this time
together, I know that you have been waiting for me. As an expression of my
gratitude and love, I truly wish to give myself totally to you during this
meditation.
Petition: Lord,
grant me greater zeal for the salvation of souls.
1. You Can
Judge a Man by the Company He Keeps: Our Lord took a considerable amount of
flak from the Pharisees for taking time to get to know the less respectable
crowd. In those days, “sinners” were marginalized and treated with contempt.
Today, attitudes have changed. Folks that were considered sinners back then
would now be mainstream; some of them would probably even be celebrities. But
one thing is still the same: People still judge others by the company they
keep. For better or worse, people are judged by their associations. That brings
up a good question. I am a Catholic. I receive the Eucharist frequently. Jesus
is spending a lot of time with me. Would people be able to tell that I have
been spending time with the Lord? What would they think of Christ and his influence
on me? Are the Lord’s standards reflected in my life?
2. The 99
Safe Sheep: Jesus’ description of going out to get
the sinner is truly consoling. Perhaps this brings up a beautiful memory of how
he came to my rescue, when I was one of the wooly ones wandering far from the
flock. But that’s now a changed scenario. I am in the flock. How do I stay here
and keep from wandering off? The Good Shepherd gives us so many tools, but I
need to use them. If I slacken in my prayer life and participate with routine
and lack of fervor in the sacraments, I may find myself wondering what other
pastures may be like. Let’s focus on being faithful within the beautiful flock
of the Church.
3. Fireworks
in Heaven: Returning to the thought about people
judging others based on the company they keep, we can easily see why those
judgments occur: People that spend time together often start to become like
each other, since they share many of the same interests. Jesus reveals in the
parable what his driving, passionate interest is: the salvation of the
individual soul. “There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents
than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” The Lord is
always looking to set off fireworks in heaven with one more conversion. If I’m
hanging around Jesus enough, I’m probably starting to sound like him. If not,
am I really spending as much time with him as I think? Am I trying to bring
back the lost sheep that I know?
Conversation
with Christ
Jesus, you lifted up the sinners around you — so many of them became
saints. Let me soak up the grace of your divine influence so that I will truly
reflect in my actions the reality of your work in my soul. Grant me a little portion
of the burning desire you had to bring back the lost sheep.
Resolution: I will write a
letter or email to a friend or relative who has drifted away from the Church,
hoping that even a little “hello” may plant a positive seed.